PHOENIX — They were the best of the best. They were the first recruited to the flank of New Mexico fires. So when a blaze roared in their backyard, there was no question that the Granite Mountain Hotshots would protect property in the retirement community.

Nineteen members perished in the menacing blaze near Yarnell, Ariz., last weekend, the greatest loss of firefighter lives since Sept. 11, 2001.

In their first home game since the tragedy, the Arizona Diamondbacks paid tribute to the fallen heroes of the Yarnell Hill fire in several ways Friday night at Chase Field.

"We were devastated. Just like the Rockies are Colorado's team, we are the Arizona Diamondbacks. The community is like family to us," Diamondbacks president Derrick Hall said.

Diamondbacks manager Kirk Gibson stands at attention for the national anthem before Friday's game. The Diamondbacks wore No. 19 patches on their jerseys in tribute to the 19 firefighters who lost their lives. (Christian Petersen, Getty Images)

The Diamondbacks created several initiatives to raise money, which were on display Friday, while providing heartfelt recognition. Before the game's first pitch, a 19-second moment of silence was observed and pictures of those who died were displayed on the ballpark's JumboTron. One firefighter was shown attending a Diamondbacks game. There were several signs at Chase Field honoring the men, including one that read "Forever Our Heroes. Yarnell." Yarnell is about 90 minutes northwest of Phoenix.

The Diamondbacks painted No. 19 in white in a black circle behind home plate over their customary team logo. It will remain during this homestand.

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The Diamondbacks wore specially designed black jerseys with "Arizona" in red across the front. Those uniforms will be auctioned off with proceeds donated to the victims' families. A white "19" patch was stitched above the team name on the jerseys, specifically placed "above the heart," Hall said.

Following the homestand, a reverse of the patch will be worn on the right sleeve for the remainder of the season. Both teams donned navy blue Prescott Fire Department caps during batting practice and the national anthem.

"We do this as a tribute to the firefighters and the people who gave their lives in fighting this fire. You can't replace the people you have lost," Diamondbacks manager Kirk Gibson said. "We want to remember their spirit and try to move forward as if they are still guiding us."

Donations can be made at dbacks.com/19. The goal is to raise $500,000. More than $45,000 was made in the team's 50-50 raffle Friday.

The Rockies placed a "Yarnell 19" jersey in their dugout. The Granite Mountain Hotshots were established in 2002 and had recently fought fires out of Arizona. They were protecting homes in the former gold-mining community in the mountains between Wickenburg and Prescott when the direction of the blaze changed with horrible consequences. Not since a California wildfire killed 25 in 1933 had this many responders been lost, according to government data.

The number 19 is displayed Friday at Chase Field before the Diamondbacks took on the Rockies. (Christian Petersen, Getty Images)

"It's important that we always honor those who put themselves in harm's way for others," Rockies manager Walt Weiss said. "It's just so hard to think about the number of lives gone."

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